There are several important considerations when deciding to make the switch from heating oil to natural gas. New, high-efficiency furnaces, boilers and hot water heaters use much less fuel, whether they are natural gas or oil. However, gas heat produces less carbon dioxide emissions and historically gas heat is less expensive than oil.

Once a decision has been made to switch to natural gas for domestic heating, an important step for the homeowner is contacting a fuel oil tank removal company Ulster County NY for excavation or otherwise taking away a no longer needed oil storage tank.

A recent report issued by the U.S. Energy Information Administration noted the number of homes in the Northeast using heating oil declined to 19% from 24% seven years earlier. Nationally, 4% of homes use oil for space heating. Surveys of real estate professionals show homes heated with natural gas sell faster than homes with an oil-fired furnace or boiler.

Among the important advantages of home heating with natural gas include:

• As the lightest hydrocarbon fuel, natural gas burns more completely than heating oil, improving the efficiency in making heat from a furnace or hot water heater.
• Natural gas emits 40% less carbon dioxide per unit of heat produced than heating oil in traditional furnaces.
• Heating oil suppliers may demand payment on delivery, before the oil is used for heat. Natural gas is billed monthly, after the gas has been burned.
• Many natural gas utilities offer rebates for switching from oil. Some rebate programs include a new gas furnace or water heater.
• Natural gas consumed in the U.S. is produced in the U.S. or Canada, ensuring a reliable supply. Oil is produced in the U.S. or may be imported and is subject to international market volatility.
• Commodity prices for natural gas and heating oil move up and down but historically, natural gas has remained less expensive for home heating than oil.

Making the switch to natural gas heat is an important issue for homeowners looking to protect the value of their residence.